Player Updates

The Nationals' bench struggled when pressed into action a season ago, as the group only mustered a combined .143 batting average with 18 RBI.

With stars Jayson Werth, Denard Span and Anthony Rendon likely to open the year on the disabled list, the Nationals know bench production will be key early on in the season. The Nationals bring back some guys that came off the bench a year go, including Danny Espinosa, Kevin Frandsen and Jose Lobaton.

Their numbers will need to improve for the Nationals to sustain success offensively, especially when dealing with injuries.

One possibility to take a bench spot is Tony Gwynn Jr., who's hitting .375 with two RBI this spring.

"You want to set a tone for the team, especially when you are missing cogs like Rendon, Werth and Span," Gwynn said via MLB.com. "You have to be able to fill those voids. There are reasons they are paid the top money they are paid. They are not easy cogs to replace. You try to piece it together as a team and hope you can keep the ship afloat until those guys get back."

Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa made his first career start at third base during Saturday's spring game against the Marlins, according to MLB.com. He never started at third base in the minors.

"My thought on it was, 'Hey, if we get in the situation where you have to play it, I just want you to have experience there,'" Williams said. "He's got great hands, great feet, plenty of arm, we all know that. It's a question of him getting used to the position a little bit in case it comes up during the season and he's got to do it. Right now, it gives him the opportunity to get out there in a non-pressure type situation and play."

Espinosa had been working at third base during workouts and made his first appearance at the hot corner Thursday against the Tigers, when he shifted over from second base in the ninth inning and played two innings at third.

"I'm going to treat it like any defense in the game, catch the ball and throw it over there," Espinosa said. "Ball comes off the bat a little different, so more of a reactionary position instead of being able to read your hop at short and second and kind of picking your hop. At third base, it's kind of do-or-die."

Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa decided this offseason to hit exclusively from the right side. The former switch hitter hasn't had much success this spring, going 0 for 5. But manager Matt Williams isn't concerned about Espinosa just yet, reports MLB.com.

"His timing isn't quite there yet, but that is to be expected," Williams said. "The good thing I see is him taking balls out of the strike zone. He is not swinging at a lot of them that are down below the zone or up. He has a good knowledge of it. The timing will come. He'll get better as we go. So far, so good."

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said second baseman Danny Espinosa has agreed to hit only from the right side in 2015, reports MASNSports.com. "Danny Espinosa is the most stubborn player I've ever met," Rizzo joked.

Espinosa hit .183 with 97 strikeouts in 249 at-bats from the left side of the plate in 2014. He hit .301 with three homers and 10 RBI from the right side. Per the website, Espinosa owns a lifetime .213 batting average as a lefty hitter facing right-handed pitching versus a .271 average from the right side against left-handers.

Espinosa is set to receive $1.8 million next year, according to The Washington Post. The 27-year-old is coming off a season in which he hit .219/.283/.351 over 333 at-bats. He was slated to open the year as the team's starter at second base until the team acquired Yunel Escobar. Espinosa will now open the year in a utility role.